The Energon Universe (EU) is an American mass media franchise and shared fictional universe created and overseen by Robert Kirkman, and being developed by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro.
The franchise is the successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018) by IDW Publishing, and features concepts and characters from old and new intellectual properties, including Transformers and G.I. Joe, among others.
This article is about the comics featured in the franchise.
Publication history
Background Before IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics at the end of 2022, in December 2021, it was reported that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, was in talks with Hasbro to acquire those licenses. Skybound would officially announce it in June 2023.
Development
Phase One The Energon Universe debuted on June 14, 2023, with the original series Void Rivals, written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici and Conor Hughes, and colored by Matheus Lopes and Patricio Delpeche. Kirkman and De Felici had previously worked together in another comic titled Oblivion Song.
Kirkman said, "It's a tremendous honor to be able to reintroduce this world to a new audience under the Skybound banner. I’ve loved these characters for most of my life and to have the opportunity to add to the already rich tapestry Hasbro has built with the all-new Void Rivals is an unbelievable opportunity. If you look at everything done with Transformers and G.I. Joe, you can see the inkling of a vast universe with tremendous potential for crossovers and interaction that will enhance the fan experience while staying true to the individual identities of both concepts. I look forward to exploring that potential for years to come."
Michael Kelly, who was Vice President of Global Publishing on Hasbro until December 2023, added, “When we first discussed the plan for the surprise reveal in Void Rivals #1, I never expected it would be a secret we could keep for over a year. Now that it is finally here, we are all excited to finally be able to talk about all the amazing stories to come from our great new partners at Skybound.”
Void Rivals is followed by a Transformers ongoing series and four G.I. Joe limited series featuring Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro as main protagonists. Kirkman also brought up the possibility of adding other action brands from Hasbro in the future, and confirmed that they will not have more than four series running at once, as well as not adding more titles (for now) to keep the line at a manageable, easy-to-follow size.
In June 2024, Skybound officially announced the new G.I. Joe ongoing series that follows its four previous prequels. In November 2024, Skybound announced deluxe editions during the coming years.
Phase Two In 2025, characters from the M.A.S.K. franchise were officially introduced into the universe. Matt Trakker debuted in the G.I. Joe story of the 2025 Special, while Miles Mayhem debuted in Transformers #25. In February 2026, Skybound officially announced a M.A.S.K. ongoing series for June 2026.
In September 2026, Skybound announced four exclusive manga covers for December, featuring art by Satoshi Shiki and Manabu Yashiro.
Distribution and localization +PublisherCountryLanguageRef.Ades MediaSwedenSwedish Moztros EditorialSpainSpanishNagle ComicsPolandPolishOVNI PressArgentinaSpanishPanini ComicsBrazilPortuguese GermanyGerman saldaPressItalyItalianSzukits KiadóHungaryHungarian Tiandi PressChinaChinese Urban ComicsFranceFrench
List of publications
Ongoing series Title Writer Artist(s) Colorist(s) Debut date Void Rivals Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De FeliciConor HughesAndrei Bressan Matheus LopesPatricio Delpeche Transformers Daniel Warren Johnson (1–24)Robert Kirkman (25–) Daniel Warren JohnsonJorge CoronaJason HowardLudo LullabiDan Mora Mike SpicerSarah SternAdriano Lucas G.I. Joe Joshua Williamson Tom ReillyAndrea MilanaMarco Foderà Jordie BellaireLee LoughridgeTom Reilly M.A.S.K.Dan WattersSimon "Pye" ParrPierluigi CasolinoJune 3, 2026
Limited series + Title Issues Writer Artist(s) Colorist Debut date Conclusion date Duke 1–5 Joshua Williamson Tom Reilly Jordie Bellaire Duke #5 Cobra Commander Andrea Milana Annalisa Leoni Cobra Commander #5 Scarlett Kelly Thompson Marco Ferrari Lee Loughridge June 5, 2024October 9, 2024 Destro Dan Watters Andrei BressanAndrea Milana Adriano Lucas June 19, 2024October 16, 2024
Specials Side story Writer Artist Colorist Release dateEnergon Universe 2024 SpecialVoid RivalsRobert KirkmanLorenzo De FeliciMatheus Lopes (Free Comic Book Day) (variant covers)Transfomers Daniel Warren Johnson Ryan Ottley Mike SpicerG.I. JoeJoshua WilliamsonJason HowardAnnalisa LeoniEnergon Universe 2025 SpecialVoid RivalsRobert KirkmanConor HughesPatricio Depelche (Free Comic Book Day) (variant covers)TransfomersDaniel Warren JohnsonMike SpicerG.I. JoeJoshua WilliamsonAndrea MilanaLee LoughridgeEnergon Universe 2026 SpecialVoid RivalsRobert KirkmanConor HughesPatricio Delpeche (Free Comic Book Day) (variant covers)TransfomersJason HowardMike SpicerG.I. JoeJoshua WilliamsonTom ReillyLee LoughridgeM.A.S.K.Dan WattersSimon "Pye" Parr
One-shots Title Writers ArtistsColorists Release dateM.A.S.K. OriginsRobert Kirkman and Joshua WilliamsonAndrea Milana and Dan MoraLee Loughridge and Mike SpicerJune 3, 2026RomRobert KirkmanLorenzo De FeliciMatheus Lopes
Other Title Writers Artists Release dateEnergon Universe 2025 AshcanRobert Kirkman and Joshua WilliamsonDan Mora and Tom Reilly (San Diego Comic-Con)M.A.S.K. Preview/Ashcan #1Dan WattersSimon "Pye" ParrFebruary 25, 2026
Story arcs
+ Energon Universe story arcsSeriesVolumeStory arcIssuesVoid Rivals1 "More than Meets the Eye"62 "Hunted Across the Wasteland"6 + 2024 Special3 "The Key to Vector Theta"64 "First Chosen"65 "Quintesson War"6 + 2025 Special6"Rom"6 + Rom + 2026 Special7"Pit of Destruction"6Transformers1"Robots in Disguise"62"Transport to Oblivion"63"Combiner Chaos"6 + 2024 Special4"Conquer and Control"6 + 2025 Special5"Generation One"66"Decepticons Attack!"6Duke1"Knowing is Half the Battle"5 + 2024 SpecialCobra Commander1"Determined to Rule the World"5Scarlett1"Secret Mission"5Destro1"The Enemy"5G.I. Joe1"The Cobra Strikes!"62"Bludd's Revenge"6 + 2025 Special3"Dreadnok War"64"The Hunt for Energon"65"Night Force"6 + 2026 SpecialM.A.S.K.1"The Ultimate Weapon"6 + 2026 SpecialTotal22 volumes138 issues
Reception Critical response The EU comics have been receiving general positive reviews for their narrative, tone and complex storylines, with critics praising Void Rivals for the surprising guest appearances of several Transformers and G.I. Joe characters in each issue.
+Comic Book Round UpSeriesCritic ratingRef.Ongoing seriesVoid Rivals8.4Transformers9.1G.I. Joe8.6M.A.S.K.8.8Limited seriesDuke8.7Cobra Commander8.5Scarlett8.3Destro8.4OtherAnnual specials9.2
Sales Until March 2024, the franchise sold over one million copies of Void Rivals, Transformers, Duke and Cobra Commander in total. Following their highly positive critics, reprints have been made.
In June 2024, Transformers #10, Scarlett #2, Destro #2 and Void Rivals #11 were part of Image's Top 10 Comics in Direct Market.
By Septamber 2026, the line has sold 7.6 million units according to an article from The Hollywood Reporter.
Accolades +YearAwardCategoryNomineeComicResultRef.2024Eisner AwardsBest Continuing SeriesDaniel Warren JohnsonTransformers Best LetteringRus Wooton Best Writer/ArtistDaniel Warren JohnsonTransformers ComicBook.com Golden Issue AwardsBest ArtistJorge CoronaTransformers Best ColoristJordie BellaireG.I. Joe 2025Eisner AwardsBest ColoringJordie BellaireDuke and G.I. Joe Best WriterKelly ThompsonScarlett
Collected editions Trade paperback #TitleMaterial collectedPagesReleasedISBNVoid Rivals1More than Meets the Eye Void Rivals #1–61362Hunted Across the Wasteland Void Rivals #7–12 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Void Rivals story)1283The Key to Vector Theta Void Rivals #13–181284First Chosen Void Rivals #19–241285Quintesson War Void Rivals #25–30 Energon Universe 2025 Special (Void Rivals story)1286Rom Void Rivals #31–36 Rom #1 Energon Universe 2026 Special (Void Rivals story)152Transformers1Robots in Disguise Transformers #1–61362Transport to Oblivion Transformers #7–121283Combiner Chaos Transformers #13–18 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Transformers story)1364Conquer and Control Transformers #19–24 Energon Universe 2025 Special (Transformers story)1445Generation One Transformers #25–301442 Jun 20266Decepticons Attack! Transformers #31–361288 Dec 2026Codename: G.I. Joe Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle Duke #1–5 Energon Universe 2024 Special (G.I. Joe story)112 Cobra Commander: Determined to Rule the World Cobra Commander #1–5112 Scarlett: Special Mission Scarlett #1–5120 Destro: The Enemy Destro #1–5120G.I. Joe1The Cobra Strikes! G.I. Joe #1–61602Bludd's Revenge G.I. Joe #7–12 Energon Universe 2025 Special (G.I. Joe story)1283Dreadnok War G.I. Joe #13–1812813 Mar 20264The Hunt for Energon G.I. Joe #19–2412829 Sep 20265Night Force G.I. Joe #25–30 Energon Universe 2026 Special (G.I. Joe story)144 13 Apr 2027M.A.S.K.1The Ultimate Weapon M.A.S.K. #1–6 Energon Universe 2026 Special (M.A.S.K. story)152
Hardcover #TitleMaterial collectedPagesReleasedISBNVoid Rivals1Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 Void Rivals #1–12 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Void Rivals story)2723 Jun 20252Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 2 Void Rivals #13–24 Energon Universe 2025 Special (Void Rivals story)27823 Jun 2026Transformers1Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 Transformers #1–1228013 May 20252Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 2 Transformers #13–24 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Transformers story) Energon Universe 2025 Special (Transformers story)28826 May 2026Codename: G.I. Joe1Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 Duke #1–5 Cobra Commander #1–5 Energon Universe 2024 Special (G.I. Joe story)25624 Jun 20252Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 2 Scarlett #1–5 Destro #1–52567 Oct 2025G.I. Joe1G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 G.I. Joe #1–12 Energon Universe 2025 Special (G.I. Joe story)28830 Jun 2026
See also List of comics based on Hasbro properties G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, an unrelated G.I. Joe series published by Skybound Hasbro Universe Hasbro Comic Book Universe by (2005–2018)
Other universes
DC Universe (1938–present) Marvel Universe (1940–present) Comics' Greatest World (1990–2000) Valiant Universe (1992–present) Image Universe (1992–present) Sigilverse (2000–2004) Millarworld (2004–present) Stan Lee Universe (2010–2011) Monsterverse (2014–present) Catalyst Prime (2017–2023) H1 Ignition (2019–2021) The Resistance (2020–2024) Massive-Verse (2021–present) Nacelleverse (2024–present) Underworld (2024–present)
References Notes
Footnotes